What does cancel where possible mean in math?

Answer 1

That means that wherever you spot a numerator and denominator that have a common factor,
you should should divide the numerator and denominator by their common factor.

This operation doesn't change the value of an expression, but it 'simplifies' it. The operation is
also the heart and soul of measurement-unit conversions.


It means that if you spot a numerator and denominator that have a common factor, then you should divide the numerator and denominator by their common factor.This operation doesn't change the value of an expression, but it 'simplifies' it. The operation is also the heart and soul of measurement-unit conversions.


It means, if you can cancel, cancel. Otherwise don't.

This usually refers to simplifying fractions that involve numbers or variables. If the same variable, or factor, appears in the top and in the bottom, you can eliminate it from both without changing the result.

Answer 2

That means that wherever you spot a numerator and denominator that have a common factor,
you should should divide the numerator and denominator by their common factor.

This operation doesn't change the value of an expression, but it 'simplifies' it. The operation is
also the heart and soul of measurement-unit conversions.

Answer 3

It means that if you spot a numerator and denominator that have a common factor, then you should divide the numerator and denominator by their common factor.This operation doesn't change the value of an expression, but it 'simplifies' it. The operation is also the heart and soul of measurement-unit conversions.

Answer 4

It means, if you can cancel, cancel. Otherwise don't.

This usually refers to simplifying fractions that involve numbers or variables. If the same variable, or factor, appears in the top and in the bottom, you can eliminate it from both without changing the result.